Willem Hussem (1900-1974)

Untitled

signed with the artist's initials and dated 'WH 65' (lower left)

oil on burlap, 130x200 cm

Provenance:
Acquired in 1999 from Galerie Gerard Lases, Amsterdam, by the present owner.

An Homage to a late bloomer Renowned Dutch artist and poet, Willem Hussem was born at the turn of the 20th century.

In his early years, Hussem mostly paints still lifes and landscapes in a figurative style. In 1919, Hussem settled in France. His French stay was stimulating for his literary and artistic production and allowed him to break free from artistic conventions, although his paintings from that time lacked impulsiveness and spontaneity.

In the mid-thirties, due to international tensions and the threat of the fascist regime in Germany, Hussem and his wife came back to the Netherlands and settled in The Hague. He painted very little in the years 1938-1945 and concentrated mainly on his poetry and cultural research. For many years, Hussem was seeking his own expression and experimented with expressionism and constructivism. In the 1960s, he finally found his style in geometrical abstraction. During this period, Hussem gained confidence and produced many works.

Today, Hussem’s finest and best-known work is non-figurative, and his works from the 1960s are very much sought-after. By trying to overcome the horror vacui, Hussem often made dense and dynamic compositions such as this present lot. Here, the circles, squares, rectangles, beams, and arches are rhythmically arranged and coexist onto the monochrome blue burlap.

Through form and colour, Hussem renders to canvas a harmonious composition which is indisputably a highlight of this Post-War & Contemporary Art Auction.

For this artist resale right is applicable from €2400 hammer price onwards